Deed of Renunciation by Christina Boom

The notarial deed is dated 10 August 1773 and identifies Christina Boom as the adult daughter of Willem Springorum. This indicates that Christina was legally of age at that time, in practice meaning at least her mid-twenties. She must therefore have been born no later than the mid-1740s, and most likely earlier.

Joan Wilhelm (Willem) Springorum, baptized in 1744, cannot be the father mentioned in this act. In 1773 he was only 28 years old and could not possibly have had a daughter who was already legally adult. Chronologically, legally, and biologically, this is impossible.

The Willem Springorum named in the 1773 deed must therefore be an older namesake belonging to an earlier generation. He was most likely a Willem Springorum born around the beginning of the eighteenth century, established in Amsterdam, and already the father of adult children at the time the act was drawn up.

That Christina bears the surname Boom further suggests that she was probably married and that this renunciation formed part of a deliberate estate arrangement. Such deeds were commonly used to settle inheritance matters clearly and to prevent later claims by (married) children.

Transcription

Original

In den name des Heeren Amen. Op huyden den tienden Augusti seventien honderd drie en seventigh, des middags, is voor mij Jan Bentelaan, notaris geadmitteert binnen Amsterdam, gecompareert de eerbare juffrou Christina Boom, meerderjarige en onbehoorlijk gegaen zijnde, verklaerende bekend te zijn met Willem Springorum, haar vader, ende dat zij met volle vrijen wille en zonder eenige dwang ofte overredingh compareert om te maken een wettige en onherroepelijke acte van afstand ende quijtscheldingh, waerbij zij afstaet, renuncieert ende quijt scheldt ten behoeve van denselven Willem Springorum, haar vader, alle en eenige actien, pretentien, eischen en aanspraken, die zij comparante soude mogen hebben op den boedel, goederen en nalatenschap, die door den voorsz. Willem Springorum zijn nagelaten ofte noch nagelaten sullen worden, uyt wat oorzaecke ofte titel ook.

En verklaerde de comparante sulcx te doen uyt zuijvere genegentheijt en sonder eenige recompense, belooninge ofte tegenprestatie. Belovende hier van acte te houden ende de selve nimmermeer te sullen contrarieeren, directelijck ofte indirectelijck, op eenigerhande wijse.

Aldus gepasseert binnen Amsterdam ten overstaan van Willem Springorum en Hendrick Lyssen, als getuygen hier toe verzocht. (w.g.) Christina C. Boom, Willem Springorum, Hendrick Lyssen. (w.g.) Jan Bentelaan, notaris.

English Translation

In the name of the Lord, Amen. On this tenth day of August in the year seventeen hundred and seventy-three, in the afternoon, before me, Jan Bentelaan, notary admitted within Amsterdam, appeared the honorable young woman Christina Boom, of full legal age and of sound mind, declaring that she is known to Willem Springorum, her father, and that she appears of her own free will and without any coercion or persuasion in order to make a lawful and irrevocable deed of renunciation and release, whereby she relinquishes, renounces, and releases, in favor of the said Willem Springorum, her father, all and any actions, claims, demands, and rights which she, the appearing party, might have or could have upon the estate, goods, and inheritance which have been or may yet be left by the aforesaid Willem Springorum, from whatever cause or title arising.

And the appearing party declared that she does this out of pure affection and without any recompense, reward, or consideration in return. Promising to abide by this deed and never hereafter to contradict or contest the same, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever.

Thus passed within Amsterdam in the presence of Willem Springorum and Hendrick Lyssen, requested as witnesses hereto. (signed) Christina C. Boom, Willem Springorum, Hendrick Lyssen. (signed) Jan Bentelaan, notary.